Suzanne Collins, born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1962 to a US Air Force officer which forced her to move a lot when she was young. She started in 1991 writing for various children’s television shows. She then was inspired to write children’s books after meeting an author. Then in 2008, Collins started writing the popular trilogy of The Hunger Games. As a result of the popularity of The Hunger Games, Collins became the best selling Author on amazon’s Kindle and was made into a hit movie. The book I read is called the Hunger Games. I choose this book because I’ve heard so much about how good this book is and movie is so, I wanted to give the book a chance. Genre: The genre of The Hunger Games can be considered into many different types of genres. The genres that fit into The Hunger Games the most are the following genres, the science – fiction genre, adventure genre, and the young adult genre. It fits into the Young Adult category perfectly due its romance involved throughout the story and its main character being a young 16-year-old female that is relatable to many young adults. Also, more characters in The Hunger Games, make the book fit into the young adult genre. The Hunger Games is also considered to be a Science – Fiction novel because of its ideals throughout the book and the killing of teens legally in a fight to the death format that is done on a television show, would never happen in our world today. Lastly, the Adventure category comes in the Games part of our story, as Katniss’s (main character) path of her ups and downs are traced and followed a lot through out the story which would make us classify this book into the category of adventure. Those are three of the main genres though you could make a case for many other genres. These three genres make the most sense into the book, The Hunger Games.
Summary:
In the nation of Panem, which there is 12 poorer districts and a highly advanced capital that has every thing anyone can think of. In district 12, Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old female living with her mom and sister, Primrose Everdeen. Katniss was a hunter for her family as her father died in a coal-mining explosion. Katniss would go everyday with her bow and arrow to hunt with her friend Gale, who is 2 years older than Katniss and has love for her. The 74th Hunger Games were approaching in which a male and a female would represent that district in a fight to the death to become the winner. The Hunger Games were done after District 13 made a rebellion against the Capitol, but when the Capitol destroyed the District, the rest of the Districts submitted to the Capitol. As a result, they created, The Hunger Games. To get chosen, each male or female would get 1 slip of paper for each year of eligibility. Though, males and females could claim the Tessera, a token of oil or grain for one person in which the person can claim grain or oil once every month for one year. To protect Prim from being chosen, Katniss takes the Tessera so she could have more entries and for Prim’s chances of going to the Games decrease. At reaping, they draw Primrose as the girl tribute. Katniss is dumbfounded to say the least and she volunteers to take Primrose’s spot, Katniss then becomes the girl tribute for district 12. Then they begin to draw a boy tribute and Peeta Mellark becomes the boy tribute. Once selected, they say their good byes and head to the Capitol. Effie Trinket, the lady who selected the tributes at random, and Haymitch, pervious winner of the Hunger Games from district 12, joins Peeta and Katniss on the train to the capitol. Before the opening ceremonies, Cinna (dresser) selects stuff for Peeta and Katniss to wear. Though instead of being boring on wearing coal, as each district is supposed to wear something symbolic from their district, they lit Peeta and Katniss on fire with fake flames to enter. The next day is the day that the game makers get to see at the tributes. As district 12 never wins, when Katniss comes up no attention is given and she shoots the apple out of the roasted pig’s mouth. That night is the night that they get there scores from the game makers, which helps them gain sponsors, which lets them get key items during the game. Katniss scores the highest score, an 11. During the interviews, Katniss wears a symbolic pin given from the mayor’s daughter of district 12 that she wears throughout the games. In effort to gain sponsors, Peeta dishes out that he is in love with Katniss in his interview. After, Katniss is enraged at Peeta for lying though later Haymitch explains how it could help them gain sponsors. Next morning, Peeta and Katniss take off to the Arena and in preparation before Katniss is teleported, Cinna pins the Mocking jay. Once there, the blood bath begins. Will Katniss die during the bloodbath or will she die?
Main Characters:
Katniss Everdeen – 16 year old girl from District 12, who hunts with a bow and arrow due her father’s death. Katniss is also very protective over sister Primrose Eveerdeen, after volunteering at the Reaping to be the female tribute for District 12 instead of Prim having to go to the games at a young age. Katniss also is very smart knowing when to attack to get Peeta’s medicine for his ailing knee. Katniss is also very smart after She and Rue blew up the campsite where the careers were stationed. She saw the apples and knew she could open them with her bow and arrow to trigger the landmines. “I’d better get out of her” and “They’ll be making a beeline for the place” explain the smarts Katniss exhibits out in the arena. Also, she used Haymitch’s suggestions as the blood bath she didn’t go and attack, she sat back and went for water. Katniss also tries to hold her emotions close to her very much throughout.
Peeta Mellark - The boy tribute from District 12, who is son of the baker and decorates cakes in his father bakery. Was in love with Katniss throughout the story. Peeta exhibits his sense of humor during his interview before the games. “Tell me, do I smell like roses” exhibits his sense of humor during the games. He is also different than Katniss as he is much more emotional as he cries on his way to the games. Peeta teams up with the careers to try to kill Katniss but later leaves them. Peeta’s strength is seen throughout, as he would lift 100 pounds of flour. Peeta exhibits a sense of humbleness when on the train, Katniss is asked if she is good at anything and she says no but Peeta explains but then he says he’s not good at anything. He is also put down and Peeta really has no one supporting him. His mom even thinks Katniss will win not Peeta.
Haymitch – The winner of The Hunger Games 50. Haymitch was also the mentor of Peeta and Katniss throughout the games and lead up to the games. Very intoxicated in lead up to the games. Haymitch is very knowledgeable to both of his competitors as he tells them to not get into the blood bath at the start of the Games. “Just clear out, put as much distance as you can between yourselves and the others, and find a source of water.” The quote explains something valuable to both Peeta and Katniss, as there will be temptation to go to the center of the Cornucopia and retrieve viable and valuable supplies that could keep them alive longer than others. Though since everyone was going to the center to retrieve these valuables, it was not the best idea to go in the center as there fate was more than certain if they went to the Cornucopia. Haymitch also had the task to get sponsors for both Peeta and Katniss, which came up to be big for both since they need medicine to cure themselves during the Games.
Major Ideas:
There were many big ideas throughout The Hunger Games. But for me, there are only really 2 big ideas through out the story. The idea is Survival of the Fittest and Respect your elders. In The Hunger Games, you must be fit to manage days with out eating. In the games, tributes would go days with out seeing food which put the strength in question. If the person were not smart, he would eat poison berries, which would kill the tribute. Also, bad judgment would hurt the tribute a lot in the games. To survive, they must be fit to win; the weaker tributes were easier which explains the idea of survival of the fittest. Another example is the blood bath. The weaker tributes decided to attack the center and get supplies, though they were confronted by the bigger career tributes who had be training for the games since they were basically small kids. Respecting your elders is huge in this story. Haymitch who had been in the games knew what to expect. Katniss and Peeta needed to listen if they wanted to win as Haymitch had already won the games before. Listening to Haymitch is big without him; Katniss and Peeta would not be competing to win the games for district 12. Haymitch gave Katniss and Peeta viable information that helped throughout. If Katniss and Peeta did not listened to Haymitch he could have not gotten sponsors for Katniss and Peeta. In all, those 2 ideas brought Katniss and Peeta a long way.
Major Conflict:
In The Hunger Games, there are various conflicts that arise and impact the path of the main character. Though 1 stands out to be the major conflict. The conflict of Katniss having to go and survive the Games is the biggest conflict. Katniss has to leave her family and go to the games, which is very tough. Katniss is the person who brings food to her family and without her how will Prim and Mrs. Everdeen get food. Yes, Gale maybe a short-term solution but he will have to move on in life to go make his life. They cannot rely on Gale all the time. The thought of Katniss dying brings bad thoughts on future of the Everdeen’s. After Mr. Everdeen died, Katniss has been there for her family and her gone is a major blow towards the Everdeen’s. It also brings sadness to Katniss with maybe it could be the last time that she is in District 12 and seeing her family for the last time especially Prim. Katniss has always been there for Prim and has a bond with Prim. Katniss acts like a mother figure towards Prim. After the act that Katniss did to keep Prim out the games, it was a major turning point in both of there’s relationship as a family. Katniss also thinks thoughts of Peeta dying in the end of the book. Peeta and Katniss start connecting throughout the book which if he would die, Katniss would be in a state of shock and grief.
Symbol:
This picture reminds me of the arena in The Hunger Games. The grand structure and flags remind me of each district being represented at the games. I got this picture while me and my mother went to see some family in Mexico City. The size of this stadium also brings to mind how big the stadium should be in the games. The entrance also reminds me of how Katniss and Peeta and the other tributes walked into the stadium with their elaborate costumes that represented each of the 12 districts. The artwork also is something the stadium had that reminded me of how each tribute was wearing something relatable to there district.
5 New or Unusual Words!
Salvation - "Since that's the very weapon that might be my salvation." - The thing can save you from harm risk or lost. Exhilarating - "It's exhilarating and I'm tempted to ask Effie Trinket if we can ride it again."- The feeling of hyper or tired. Skimpy - "Our tributes usually end up in skimpy outfits and hats with headlamps." - Short or not much of it. Deafening - "The deafening roar rattles the metal under my feet." - Loud or scaring sound. Confining - "The Capitol maybe monitoring and confining me." - Closing up or in a small space
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Similar TV/Music/Movie/Literature or Existing Works
The Hunger Games reminds me of many works that I’ve read or seen or that I’ve listened to. Hunger Games reminds me of the TV show Big Brother as the producers have control over the challenges done by the players. They also can change the game at anytime leaving the players clueless. The players must eliminate each other to win the game, which reminds me of the killing aspect of The Hunger Games. The players all take risks like Katniss did in trying to get Peeta’s medicine from the Cornucopia. The storyline of the games it self also reminds me of the book Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In Willy Wonka, it is basically like a lottery to get into the factory to meet Wonka, as they must have a golden ticket to get into the factory. The deaths of characters all happen to the more fortunate like in the games with Katniss. Right now, there is a movie that was released in spring of 2012 of The Hunger Games. Currently, the trilogy of The Hunger Games are set to be made into 4 movies, The Hunger Games (Already Released), Catching Fire (2nd book due to release in 2013), and Mocking jay part 1 & part 2 (Set to release one year after each other’s release.) Suzanne Collins went on to write 2 more books to the never-ending saga of the Hunger Games, which I stated will be made into motion pictures. Book 2 is called Catching Fire, which continues life after the games and book 3 Mocking Jay the end of the whole trilogy.
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The Hunger Games
By: Luis Barranco
The Author:
Suzanne Collins, born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1962 to a US Air Force officer which forced her to move a lot when she was young. She started in 1991 writing for various children’s television shows. She then was inspired to write children’s books after meeting an author. Then in 2008, Collins started writing the popular trilogy of The Hunger Games. As a result of the popularity of The Hunger Games, Collins became the best selling Author on amazon’s Kindle and was made into a hit movie. The book I read is called the Hunger Games. I choose this book because I’ve heard so much about how good this book is and movie is so, I wanted to give the book a chance.Genre:
The genre of The Hunger Games can be considered into many different types of genres. The genres that fit into The Hunger Games the most are the following genres, the science – fiction genre, adventure genre, and the young adult genre. It fits into the Young Adult category perfectly due its romance involved throughout the story and its main character being a young 16-year-old female that is relatable to many young adults. Also, more characters in The Hunger Games, make the book fit into the young adult genre. The Hunger Games is also considered to be a Science – Fiction novel because of its ideals throughout the book and the killing of teens legally in a fight to the death format that is done on a television show, would never happen in our world today. Lastly, the Adventure category comes in the Games part of our story, as Katniss’s (main character) path of her ups and downs are traced and followed a lot through out the story which would make us classify this book into the category of adventure. Those are three of the main genres though you could make a case for many other genres. These three genres make the most sense into the book, The Hunger Games.
Summary:
In the nation of Panem, which there is 12 poorer districts and a highly advanced capital that has every thing anyone can think of. In district 12, Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old female living with her mom and sister, Primrose Everdeen. Katniss was a hunter for her family as her father died in a coal-mining explosion. Katniss would go everyday with her bow and arrow to hunt with her friend Gale, who is 2 years older than Katniss and has love for her. The 74th Hunger Games were approaching in which a male and a female would represent that district in a fight to the death to become the winner. The Hunger Games were done after District 13 made a rebellion against the Capitol, but when the Capitol destroyed the District, the rest of the Districts submitted to the Capitol. As a result, they created, The Hunger Games. To get chosen, each male or female would get 1 slip of paper for each year of eligibility. Though, males and females could claim the Tessera, a token of oil or grain for one person in which the person can claim grain or oil once every month for one year. To protect Prim from being chosen, Katniss takes the Tessera so she could have more entries and for Prim’s chances of going to the Games decrease. At reaping, they draw Primrose as the girl tribute. Katniss is dumbfounded to say the least and she volunteers to take Primrose’s spot, Katniss then becomes the girl tribute for district 12. Then they begin to draw a boy tribute and Peeta Mellark becomes the boy tribute. Once selected, they say their good byes and head to the Capitol. Effie Trinket, the lady who selected the tributes at random, and Haymitch, pervious winner of the Hunger Games from district 12, joins Peeta and Katniss on the train to the capitol. Before the opening ceremonies, Cinna (dresser) selects stuff for Peeta and Katniss to wear. Though instead of being boring on wearing coal, as each district is supposed to wear something symbolic from their district, they lit Peeta and Katniss on fire with fake flames to enter. The next day is the day that the game makers get to see at the tributes. As district 12 never wins, when Katniss comes up no attention is given and she shoots the apple out of the roasted pig’s mouth. That night is the night that they get there scores from the game makers, which helps them gain sponsors, which lets them get key items during the game. Katniss scores the highest score, an 11. During the interviews, Katniss wears a symbolic pin given from the mayor’s daughter of district 12 that she wears throughout the games. In effort to gain sponsors, Peeta dishes out that he is in love with Katniss in his interview. After, Katniss is enraged at Peeta for lying though later Haymitch explains how it could help them gain sponsors. Next morning, Peeta and Katniss take off to the Arena and in preparation before Katniss is teleported, Cinna pins the Mocking jay. Once there, the blood bath begins. Will Katniss die during the bloodbath or will she die?Main Characters:
Katniss Everdeen – 16 year old girl from District 12, who hunts with a bow and arrow due her father’s death. Katniss is also very protective over sister Primrose Eveerdeen, after volunteering at the Reaping to be the female tribute for District 12 instead of Prim having to go to the games at a young age. Katniss also is very smart knowing when to attack to get Peeta’s medicine for his ailing knee. Katniss is also very smart after She and Rue blew up the campsite where the careers were stationed. She saw the apples and knew she could open them with her bow and arrow to trigger the landmines. “I’d better get out of her” and “They’ll be making a beeline for the place” explain the smarts Katniss exhibits out in the arena. Also, she used Haymitch’s suggestions as the blood bath she didn’t go and attack, she sat back and went for water. Katniss also tries to hold her emotions close to her very much throughout.Peeta Mellark - The boy tribute from District 12, who is son of the baker and decorates cakes in his father bakery. Was in love with Katniss throughout the story. Peeta exhibits his sense of humor during his interview before the games. “Tell me, do I smell like roses” exhibits his sense of humor during the games. He is also different than Katniss as he is much more emotional as he cries on his way to the games. Peeta teams up with the careers to try to kill Katniss but later leaves them. Peeta’s strength is seen throughout, as he would lift 100 pounds of flour. Peeta exhibits a sense of humbleness when on the train, Katniss is asked if she is good at anything and she says no but Peeta explains but then he says he’s not good at anything. He is also put down and Peeta really has no one supporting him. His mom even thinks Katniss will win not Peeta.
Haymitch – The winner of The Hunger Games 50. Haymitch was also the mentor of Peeta and Katniss throughout the games and lead up to the games. Very intoxicated in lead up to the games. Haymitch is very knowledgeable to both of his competitors as he tells them to not get into the blood bath at the start of the Games. “Just clear out, put as much distance as you can between yourselves and the others, and find a source of water.” The quote explains something valuable to both Peeta and Katniss, as there will be temptation to go to the center of the Cornucopia and retrieve viable and valuable supplies that could keep them alive longer than others. Though since everyone was going to the center to retrieve these valuables, it was not the best idea to go in the center as there fate was more than certain if they went to the Cornucopia. Haymitch also had the task to get sponsors for both Peeta and Katniss, which came up to be big for both since they need medicine to cure themselves during the Games.
Major Ideas:
There were many big ideas throughout The Hunger Games. But for me, there are only really 2 big ideas through out the story. The idea is Survival of the Fittest and Respect your elders. In The Hunger Games, you must be fit to manage days with out eating. In the games, tributes would go days with out seeing food which put the strength in question. If the person were not smart, he would eat poison berries, which would kill the tribute. Also, bad judgment would hurt the tribute a lot in the games. To survive, they must be fit to win; the weaker tributes were easier which explains the idea of survival of the fittest. Another example is the blood bath. The weaker tributes decided to attack the center and get supplies, though they were confronted by the bigger career tributes who had be training for the games since they were basically small kids. Respecting your elders is huge in this story. Haymitch who had been in the games knew what to expect. Katniss and Peeta needed to listen if they wanted to win as Haymitch had already won the games before. Listening to Haymitch is big without him; Katniss and Peeta would not be competing to win the games for district 12. Haymitch gave Katniss and Peeta viable information that helped throughout. If Katniss and Peeta did not listened to Haymitch he could have not gotten sponsors for Katniss and Peeta. In all, those 2 ideas brought Katniss and Peeta a long way.Major Conflict:
In The Hunger Games, there are various conflicts that arise and impact the path of the main character. Though 1 stands out to be the major conflict. The conflict of Katniss having to go and survive the Games is the biggest conflict. Katniss has to leave her family and go to the games, which is very tough. Katniss is the person who brings food to her family and without her how will Prim and Mrs. Everdeen get food. Yes, Gale maybe a short-term solution but he will have to move on in life to go make his life. They cannot rely on Gale all the time. The thought of Katniss dying brings bad thoughts on future of the Everdeen’s. After Mr. Everdeen died, Katniss has been there for her family and her gone is a major blow towards the Everdeen’s. It also brings sadness to Katniss with maybe it could be the last time that she is in District 12 and seeing her family for the last time especially Prim. Katniss has always been there for Prim and has a bond with Prim. Katniss acts like a mother figure towards Prim. After the act that Katniss did to keep Prim out the games, it was a major turning point in both of there’s relationship as a family. Katniss also thinks thoughts of Peeta dying in the end of the book. Peeta and Katniss start connecting throughout the book which if he would die, Katniss would be in a state of shock and grief.Symbol:
This picture reminds me of the arena in The Hunger Games. The grand structure and flags remind me of each district being represented at the games. I got this picture while me and my mother went to see some family in Mexico City. The size of this stadium also brings to mind how big the stadium should be in the games. The entrance also reminds me of how Katniss and Peeta and the other tributes walked into the stadium with their elaborate costumes that represented each of the 12 districts. The artwork also is something the stadium had that reminded me of how each tribute was wearing something relatable to there district.
5 New or Unusual Words!
Salvation - "Since that's the very weapon that might be my salvation." - The thing can save you from harm risk or lost.Exhilarating - "It's exhilarating and I'm tempted to ask Effie Trinket if we can ride it again."- The feeling of hyper or tired.
Skimpy - "Our tributes usually end up in skimpy outfits and hats with headlamps." - Short or not much of it.
Deafening - "The deafening roar rattles the metal under my feet." - Loud or scaring sound.
Confining - "The Capitol maybe monitoring and confining me." - Closing up or in a small space
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Similar TV/Music/Movie/Literature or Existing Works
The Hunger Games reminds me of many works that I’ve read or seen or that I’ve listened to. Hunger Games reminds me of the TV show Big Brother as the producers have control over the challenges done by the players. They also can change the game at anytime leaving the players clueless. The players must eliminate each other to win the game, which reminds me of the killing aspect of The Hunger Games. The players all take risks like Katniss did in trying to get Peeta’s medicine from the Cornucopia. The storyline of the games it self also reminds me of the book Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In Willy Wonka, it is basically like a lottery to get into the factory to meet Wonka, as they must have a golden ticket to get into the factory. The deaths of characters all happen to the more fortunate like in the games with Katniss. Right now, there is a movie that was released in spring of 2012 of The Hunger Games. Currently, the trilogy of The Hunger Games are set to be made into 4 movies, The Hunger Games (Already Released), Catching Fire (2nd book due to release in 2013), and Mocking jay part 1 & part 2 (Set to release one year after each other’s release.) Suzanne Collins went on to write 2 more books to the never-ending saga of the Hunger Games, which I stated will be made into motion pictures. Book 2 is called Catching Fire, which continues life after the games and book 3 Mocking Jay the end of the whole trilogy.=
Good Reads!
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/430434750LCS